Ruger Mk1 Mag dilemma, advice

JJ45 · February 4, 2024, 07:24 AM

I've had various Mark pistols in the past and still own a stainless 22/45 standard.

Recently purchased a 1973, A100 frame, 4.75" with black eagle wood grips with one mag, 9 shot, small button on the left which is correct for that frame.

Given that Mk1 (standard) mags fetch black market prices and can be a crap shoot quality wise, I did a ton of internet research and investigation on Ruger forums and elsewhere, even some old posts on here, and the consensus was that Mark II mags would work fine in a Mark I

So I got 2 MKII mags, silver eagle floor plate, correct small button on the left, and despite all the internet advice they will not work in my MKI'

They will not engage the heel clip mag catch. So figuring they were useless as is, I took one and filed and sanded the base plate until it finally locked in place under the mag catch but still will not feed a cartridge into the chamber!

My question is; are there different MKII mags that will function in a MKI? Some have different colored eagle base plate and sized buttons. All that internet advice couldn't be wrong, could it

JJ45 · February 4, 2024, 07:36 AM

Forgot to mention I tried the brand new Ruger MKI mags, 9 shot, small button on left and they will not lock in place. Original MK1 mags work as intended.

wild cat mccane · February 7, 2024, 04:10 PM

You're going to run into radius and button help from experts. I'm not one of them.

But they still exist new at half the price of ebay

https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/736676900626

**44 AMP** · February 7, 2024, 06:51 PM

I have a couple original mags with my 1983 Mk I Target. Both fit just fine, one feeds flawless, the other is ..balky.

When it comes to .22 magazines and semi auto pistols, its always hit or miss. Whenever someone tells you, "this will work" its really "this should work" and "this might work". Your pistol will decide for itself what works and what doesn't.

Good Luck!

Drm50 · February 9, 2024, 11:35 AM

Just saw single slot Mk-1 mag go for $20 some bucks on eBay. Best thing to do is bid on everyone that comes up, at your price. It don’t cost you nothing and sooner or later you will get one. I bid on a dozen things a week, lucky to get winning bid on one item but when I do it’s a good deal. Seems to be dipsticks in bidding wars or item nobody needs at the present bid period.
Magazines, grips and sights go for big bucks one day and chump change the next. It’s a gamble but if you set the price you want to pay, bid it and leave it- you don’t fool around in bidding war.

February 4, 2024, 07:24 AM	#1
JJ45 Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2015 Posts: 908	Ruger Mk1 Mag dilemma, advice I've had various Mark pistols in the past and still own a stainless 22/45 standard. Recently purchased a 1973, A100 frame, 4.75" with black eagle wood grips with one mag, 9 shot, small button on the left which is correct for that frame. Given that Mk1 (standard) mags fetch black market prices and can be a crap shoot quality wise, I did a ton of internet research and investigation on Ruger forums and elsewhere, even some old posts on here, and the consensus was that Mark II mags would work fine in a Mark I So I got 2 MKII mags, silver eagle floor plate, correct small button on the left, and despite all the internet advice they will not work in my MKI' They will not engage the heel clip mag catch. So figuring they were useless as is, I took one and filed and sanded the base plate until it finally locked in place under the mag catch but still will not feed a cartridge into the chamber! My question is; are there different MKII mags that will function in a MKI? Some have different colored eagle base plate and sized buttons. All that internet advice couldn't be wrong, could it

February 7, 2024, 04:10 PM	#3
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,629	You're going to run into radius and button help from experts. I'm not one of them. But they still exist new at half the price of ebay https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/736676900626 __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

February 7, 2024, 06:51 PM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,867	I have a couple original mags with my 1983 Mk I Target. Both fit just fine, one feeds flawless, the other is ..balky. When it comes to .22 magazines and semi auto pistols, its always hit or miss. Whenever someone tells you, "this will work" its really "this should work" and "this might work". Your pistol will decide for itself what works and what doesn't. Good Luck! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 4, 2024, 07:36 AM	#2
JJ45 Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2015 Posts: 908	Forgot to mention I tried the brand new Ruger MKI mags, 9 shot, small button on left and they will not lock in place. Original MK1 mags work as intended.

February 9, 2024, 11:35 AM	#5
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,382	Just saw single slot Mk-1 mag go for $20 some bucks on eBay. Best thing to do is bid on everyone that comes up, at your price. It don’t cost you nothing and sooner or later you will get one. I bid on a dozen things a week, lucky to get winning bid on one item but when I do it’s a good deal. Seems to be dipsticks in bidding wars or item nobody needs at the present bid period. Magazines, grips and sights go for big bucks one day and chump change the next. It’s a gamble but if you set the price you want to pay, bid it and leave it- you don’t fool around in bidding war.